|
MSMIIT CURRICULUM
The MSMIIT program consists of
12 courses (36 credit hours) taken during 10-week-long academic
periods (or quarters). You may complete the program in as
few as 18 months, by taking two courses per quarter. You
are not bound to two classes per quarter, and may even skip
a quarter or two, but you must complete the entire curriculum
within four years.
Work-based projects that link
theory and practice
These are projects that link what
you’re doing in class with what you’re doing
at work. This is the core of the Champlain MSMIIT, in keeping
with the program’s focus on the work-based projects
rather than theoretical or abstract research projects. This
process helps to create a distinct learning path for each
student. Significantly, these projects provide you with
mentoring opportunities with your professors so you can
learn from their experience.
Courses & Descriptions
FOUNDATIONS OF IT MANAGEMENT
This course provides an introduction
to systems and development concepts, information technology,
computer hardware, data communications and telecommunications
systems and application and system software. It examines
the role of information management in organizations and
how information may be used to enhance profitability and
customer satisfaction. The concepts of organizational behavior
and business process re-engineering are introduced. The
role of information as capital is articulated. This course
sets the stage for the remaining courses in the program
and is a prerequisite for all other courses in this program.
It may be taken concurrently with another course with permission
of the program director.
Back to Top
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This course is designed to introduce
a systematic process for planning, organizing and controlling
projects based on a practical methodology for completing
projects more quickly with fewer problems. Students will
develop and apply a framework within which to better manage
projects, exercise both the “hard” and “soft”
project management skills and affect organizational culture
toward acceptance of project management. Course content
will center on the “process of project management.”
The course provides a perspective that is integrative through
its concept of end-to-end thinking as it applies to project
management processes and to the business processes of a
project’s clients.
Back to Top
CONVERGENCE OF TELECOMM
AND BUSINESS
This course focuses on the business
and strategic implications of data networks and telecommunications.
The emphasis in this course is not so much on technical
details but on the ways in which communications technology
can be exploited within an organization. It describes the
convergence phenomenon, a dynamic, ongoing process that
comprises not only technological convergence, but the convergence
of companies and services as well. It also addresses the
fact that convergence is much more than a telecommunications
phenomenon: it affects every industry to one degree or another.
The course addresses the interrelationships of technologies,
companies and services.
Back to Top
MANAGING ENTERPRISE DATA
IT professionals must understand
the issues in managing database systems. Corporate information
is intellectual capital and it must be safely and efficiently
managed in order to leverage corporate advantage. This course
covers the concepts, principles, issues and techniques for
managing corporate data resources. Techniques for managing
the design and development of large database systems, including
logical data models, concurrent processing, data distribution,
database administration, data warehousing and data mining,
will be closely examined. The special role of data management
in e-business will be addressed.
Back to Top
LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES
IN TECHNOLOGY
Today there are special legal issues
that affect all aspects of information technology management.
This course surveys the applicable law and how the law affects
the development and deployment of IT. Special consideration
is given to human resource issues and to the impact of the
Internet. For example, companies that produce Web content
and software for sale have both rights and obligations surrounding
their intellectual property. Due to the international nature
of the Internet, these rights and obligations must cut across
international boundaries. Rules and practices that apply
in the U.S. do not necessarily carry over to other jurisdictions,
and a company may have to be compliant with a variety of
different and sometimes conflicting laws. Contract law has
been a part of software and hardware acquisition and maintenance
for a number of years. However, the growth and evolution
of IT has changed the depth and breadth of this law, and
old practices and standards no longer apply. Human resource
issues are important too, and companies must be aware of
the impact of the law on their own specific workplace and
their operations.
Back to Top
FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING
FOR MANAGEMENT
This course is an introduction to
the basic financial principles and tools required to manage
in every organization. The course material is positioned
within the framework of managing innovation and the general
management of any organization. Students will develop the
ability to respond to the concerns and motivations of the
financial community or financial stakeholders that impact
the flow of money to any organization. The intent is to
provide the learner with a “tool box” of practical,
useful personal tools that will support the decision-making
process when assessing business projects.
Back to Top
IT SECURITY AND STRATEGY
The security of information and information
systems is inextricably linked to the operation and assets
of any organization. Protecting the information network
infrastructure is essential to protecting our businesses
and organizations. This course provides the essentials of
IT security from a management perspective. Students will
examine methodologies for implementing security, information
assurance policies, privacy, backup and recovery, disaster
preparedness and incident response. The outcome of this
process is a strategic security plan.
Back to Top
ENTERPRISE IT SYSTEMS
Business systems are a combination
of data, people, hardware, software and procedures. Successful
systems must be actively designed; they don’t just
happen. Successful design must methodically consider each
of these five elements. This course surveys the latest techniques
used to discover system needs, explore and evaluate alternatives
and implement systems. The dynamic role of system and business
function evolution is an integral part of this process.
The special problems engendered by legacy systems are considered,
too. This course provides conceptual understanding of “where
systems come from” and provides practical knowledge
for managing the system development process.
Back to Top
MANAGING INNOVATION THROUGH
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
This course provides students with
the knowledge of how to balance the demands of managing
to performance objectives with the leadership needed to
abandon legacy organizational practices. Students will develop
the knowledge and skills to manage innovation at the operational
and strategic levels and to manage customer expectations
for excellent service, while simultaneously providing new
products under the constraint of extremely short “time
to market.”
Back to Top
STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR
WEB-DRIVEN BUSINESSES
This course is designed to provide
students with the knowledge and skills required to successfully
manage the strategic business planning process within the
context of data, information technology and Web-based business
models. Through case studies, projects and research, students
will develop an understanding of business models in which
value is created through information. The student will develop
a deep understanding of the business and organizational
issues involved in defining business requirements with both
internal and external customers. Web-based business strategies
will address a variety of business models. Special emphasis
will be given to the integration and convergence of technologies.
Back to Top
REFLECTIVE LEADERSHIP
AND PLANNED CHANGE
This course addresses the complexity
and changing nature of business environments that challenge
organizations and their members to become adaptive and innovative;
it is also an introduction to a variety of leadership models
and the emerging role of all managers as agents of change.
Students will develop the knowledge and skills for harnessing,
navigating and leading change in their respective organizations,
and they will reflect on their experiences as a leader and
assess who they are as a leader based on the models presented
and used in the course.
Back to Top
CAPSTONE PROJECT
The purpose of the Capstone Project
is to allow students to draw upon their educational experiences
in this program in a meaningful way to design, develop and
produce a major project. All students must complete a Capstone
Project prior to graduation. Students are encouraged to
tailor projects to their academic interests, talents and/or
vocation. They will do projects individually. Projects may
be research studies, case studies or other similar endeavors.
Students will select a topic area, do research on the topic
and synthesize the material into a coherent document. This
document is, in effect, a thesis. Projects will be approved
and supervised by a faculty mentor.
Back to Top
|
